Telegraph printer



Feb. 11, P. A NQXQN HAL TELEGRAPH PRINTER Filed March 3, 1936 12Sheets-Sheet l FIG.I

INVENTORS P.A.NOXON S.W.ROTHERMEL BY F.J.MAUS

\zfoRToRE ATT RNEY Feb. 11, 1941. P. A. NOXON ETAL r 2,231,215

. TELEGRAPH PRINTER Filed March s, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 v "FIG. 2 1

INVENTORS P.A.NOXON $.W. ROTHERMEL BY F.J.MAUS

E.J. SORTORE ATT RNEY Feb. 11, 1941. P. A. NOXQN arm. 2,231,215

TIELEGRML'H PRINTER Filed March 3, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3

INVENTORS P.A.NOXON S.W.ROTHERMEL BY F.J.MAUS

\E.J.SORTORE ATT RNEY Febrlly 194l- P. NOXON ETAL 2,231,215

- TELEGRAPH PRINTER Filed March 3, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIHIIINVENTORS P.A. NOXON $.W. ROTHERMEL BY F. J. MAUS E.J. SORTORE ATT RNEYFeb. 11, 1941, T P. A. NOXON ETAL 2,231,215

TELEGRAPH PRINTER Filed March 3, 1936 l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS PA. NOXON S.W. ROTHERMEL. BY F. J. MAUS E.J SORTORE ATT RNEY P. A. NOXCN:rrm. 2,231,215

TELEGRAPH PRINTER Feb. 11, 1941.

Filed March 3, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. 28

hams b 1558 c ISB has 2 zsa To LINE j j \ISS 293 323 234 Z37 u 237 b 237c 237d 237 e I420 I42 b We 142d MZe NIHIHHHI FIG. 27

INVENTORS P.A.NOXON S.W.ROTHE.RMEL

F. J. MAUS AT RNEY Feb. 11,1941. p NQXON ETAL' 2,231,215

TELEGRAPH PRiNTER Filed March 3, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 I19 154 n 741730 b C FIG. 8

lNVENTORS P.A. N OXON s.w. ROTHERMEL BY F.J. MAUS \fJ. SORTORE v ATT NEYFeb. 11, 1941.

P. A. NOXON EIAL TELEGRAPH PRINTER FIG. 24

Filed March 5, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTORS P.ANOXON S.W.ROTHERMEF.J.MAU$ \E.J.SORTO E f w\ 'ATT RNEY Feb. 11, 1941.

P. A. NOXON arm.

TELEGRAFH PRINTER Filed March 3, 1956 12 SheetsSheet 10 367 3 FIG.|6

L M E S E R m G OO-HMSWKE MK MN W E JJ mawnid Feb. 11, 1941. P. A. NOXONETAL 2,231,215

TELEGRAPH PRINTER Filed March 3,, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet ll ATT RNEY Feb.11, 1941. P. A. NOXON arm.

TELEGRAPH PRINTER Filed March 3, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 FIG. 29

Min. lllm.

INVENTORS P.A.NOXON S,W.ROTHERMEL BY FJ.MAUS

\E.J.SORTORE ATT RNEY Patented Feb. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICETELEGRAPH PRINTER tion of New York Application March 3, 1936, Serial No.66,906

21 Claims.

This invention relates primarily to signaling systems and apparatustherefor and more particularly to a telegraph machine comprisingsubcombinations of transmitting, selecting and printing mechanisms.

The preferred embodiment of this invention is adapted for operation inconjunction with a sig-- naling code composed of a definite number oftwo different line condition impulses in various combinations thereof.Each combination is preceded by a starting impulse of uniform linecondition and followed by a rest impulse of uniform line condition andopposite to that of the starting impulse.

The transmitting mechanism comprises a rotatable distributor integralwith and controlled by a keyboard. The selecting mechanism includes asingle electro-responsive selector magnet which cooperates with anindependently rotatable cam sleeve to variably and selectively controlthe operation of a group of selector or code bars. The printingmechanism makes use of a standard A. typewriter printing unit and isoperable by independently rotatable cams which are released for arotation by and in timed relation with the operation of the selectormechanism.

At the present time a large majority of the telegraph printers now inservice are of the tape printer type because of the greater simplicityand lower price thereof as compared to page type printers. However,because of the inherent advantages of page printers for generaltelegraph service, subscribers are desirous of obtaining printers of thepage type. There are at present printers of the page type available buttheir cost and the maintenance required to keep them in operationprevents them from being generally used.

Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to provide aprinter of the page printer type of simplified and improved constructionrequiring a minimum of maintenance and which may be easily and cheaplymanufactured.

Another object of this invention is to provide an electro-responsiveselector mechanism adapted to be used in conjunction with the printingunit of a standard typewriter.

Another object of this invention is to arrange the subcombinations ofmechanisms that perform the related functions of the complete mechanismwhereby said subcombinations may be easily and readily removed andinterchangeably replaced when repairs or adjustments are required.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear hereinafterin conjunction with a detailed description thereof.

In order to more clearly illustrate the principles of the preferredembodiment of the invention, the same is shown in the drawings anddescribed in the following paragraphs as cooperating with the keyboardand selector mechanisms and although the said mechanisms are shown anddescribed therein, they form the subject matter of copendingapplications filed August 17, 1938, Serial Nos. 225,363 and 225,364,respectively, and entitled Telegraph keyboard transmitter and Telegraphselector mechanism, respectively.

The preferred embodiment of this invention illustrated in theaccompanying drawings contemplates the employment of a mechanismselectively responsive to the actuation of finger keys which control aset of current controlling contacts in various combinations, accordingto the signal character to be transmitted, represented by the actuatedfinger key, in conjunction with a distributor mechanism cooperating witha second set of current controlling contacts for distributing thecurrent impulses therefrom to a telegraph circuit in the propersequential order. The finger keys which are attached to associated keylevers are arranged in substantially the same manner as those of anyordinary typewriter keyboard and are adapted on the actuation thereof toselectively position a series of permutation bars in variouscombinations which represent, according to a predetermined arrangement,the code combination assigned to the actuated key lever. The permutationbars are provided with beveled slots cut therein in a manner well knownin the art which allow these bars to be cammed into position and preventthe operation of more than one key lever at a time. Pivoted members,individual to each permutation bar and actuated directly thereby,control'a primary set of contacts. In one position of a permutation bar,its associated contact will be open and with the permutation bar; in itsother position the contact will be closed. The primary set of contactsare electrically connected to a set of secondary contacts. Anindependently rotatable distributor mechanism, released for rotationafter the positioning of the permutation bars by the actuated key lever,sequentially actuates the secondary set of contacts whereby combinationsof impulses of line conditions represented by the positions of theprimary set of contacts are transmitted to the sending circuit and tothe selector magnet of the associated printer. Thus the positions of thepermutation bars are transferred into representative combinations ofelectrical impulses. An auxiliary contact, called a rest contact,operable in conjunction with every combination of impulses transmittedis used to assist in maintaining synchronism between the transmittingand the receiving units.

The selector mechanism shown comprises a single selector magnetresponsive to all line conditions operating in conjunction with arotatable cam sleeve to allow or restrain the individual bars.

movement of a group of associated pivoted members. The pivoted membersare equal in number to the variable selecting line conditions in onesignal character and determine the respective positions of associatedselector bars. The selector bars have a series of notches formed thereinand are so arranged with respect to each other that for each combinationof settings thereof one row of notches will be in alignment. A startmagnet is connected in series with the selector magnet which serves torelease for rotation the rotatable cam sleeve injiroper phaserelationship with the received code combinations of impulses or lineconditions. The selector magnet is therefore relieved of all work exceptdetermining the movement of the associated pivoted members andconsequently the selector mechanism is adapted to operate efficiently ata high rate of speed.

Disposed directly to the front of the notched selector bars are a groupof so-called drop-in- After the selective positioning of the selectorbars is accomplished, a cam controlled bail allows the drop-in-bars toapproach the selector bars whereupon one. of these bars will find aseries of notches in the selector bars in alignment and consequently bepermitted to travel further than the other bars. The additional travelof this drop-in-bar actuates an associated hook so that it will bein thepath of a print bail which is subsequently operated. The print bailwhich is cam operated engages said hook and by means of the movementthereof through appropriate linkages causes a typebar to be operativelyactuated or various printer functions performed according to whichdrop-inbar was allowed to be selectively actuated by the row of alignednotches in the selector bars. An operated typebar. strikes a paper blankthrough an inked ribbon and thus leaves impressions therefrom on thepaper.

Operating sequentially with the print bail are various other mechanismssuch as those to position the drop-in-bars to normal; to reposition theselecting bars to normal, and to effect a movement of the carriage forletter spacing. v

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the paper blank is supported ona horizontal platen in operative relation with the typebars. Letterspacing is effected by the transverse movement of the carriageintermittently with the printing operations by means of a rack andpinion. The carriage is returned to its initial start position for thebeginning of a new line of copy on the receipt of a carriage returnsignal which causes the rack and pinion to be disengaged, whereupon areturning means is rendered effective. Feeding of the paper blankthrough the ma chine to effect line spacing is accomplished by means ofanother printer function signal which causes the platen to be rotated apredetermined amount for each of these signals received.

The preferred embodiment of this invention is adapted to operate inconjunction with a start-stop or simplex five-unit signaling code,although it is to be understood that with modifications it may beadapted to' operate in conjunction with other codes without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. As is well known to those versed inthe art, such codes are composed of a start impulse which is always ofuniform line condition followed by a definite number, dependent upon thecode, of two different line conditions in various combinations which inturn are followed by a stop impulse which is always the same and ofopposite line condition from that of the start impulse. In this case thedefinite number of impulses are five in number and each is substantiallyequal to the start impulse in duration while the duration of the stop orrest impulse is variable, its length depending on the interval betweenconsecutive signal groups. If some other code, such as a six-unit code,was employed, the definite number of impulses would be six in number andthe changes required in the machine for such a code would be theaddition of another set of hereinafter described elements as will beappar ent as the description proceeds.

The maximum number of possible combinations of impulses available with afive-unit code is thirty-two and in order to increase the number ofselections, case grouping of characters is employed. Accordingly,twocase shift signals are employed, called a shift signal and an unshiftsignal. These signals are printer function signals and the receipt ofeither by the recorder causes the recorder to be positioned to properlyrecord the associated characters in their respective groups. As in theordinary typewriter, the two case groups are represented by twocharacters on a single typebar. Which one of these characters will beprinted on the operation of the typebar is determined by the verticalposition of the platen. The platen is raised from its normal or unshiftposition on the receipt of a shift signal and held in position by alatch. An unshift signal releases the latch and allows the platen toreturn to its normal or unshift position.

Power is furnished for all the operations, with the exception of thework performed by the selector magnet, from an electric motor, throughappropriate gearing and clutch mechanism.

The various sub-combinations of mechanisms are mounted on suitablesupporting means which comprise the main structural part of the machine.

A more complete and thorough understanding of the invention may be hadfrom the following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification showing apreferred embodiment thereof in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention inwhich the front of the machine is shown at the bottom of the drawin Fig.2 is a front elevational view thereof; fFig. 3 is a right endelevational view there- Fig. 4 is a left end elevational view thereof;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view thereof;

Fig. 6 is a full size fragmentary plan view showing the left half of themachine with the printing unit removed;

' Fig. 7 is a full size fragmentary plan view showing the right half ofthe machine with the printing unit removed;

Fig. 8 is asectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line Ill-l0 of Fig. 7showing the arrangement of the key levers and associated mechamsm;

Fig, 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line ll-ll of Fig. 7; 4

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line |,2--|2 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional on line l3-l3 of Fig. 5;.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional on line l4-l4 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional on line l5-l5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional on line I6--l6 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken view taken view taken viewtaken view taken view taken view taken 'mechanism for rotating theprinting platen;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 23-23 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on line24-24 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 25--25 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 26 (sheet 2) is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 26--26of Fig. 2;

Fig. 27 (sheet 6) is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 21-21 ofFig. 6;

Fig. 28 (sheet 6) is a circuit diagram showing connections of theprinter and transmitter to the line;

Fig. 29 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on line29-29 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 30 is a perspective view showing one of each of the elements of theselector mechanism; and

Fig. 31 is a perspective view showing a portion of the print and linefeed mechanisms.

The detailed description of the structure and various parts of theinvention in conjunction with the arrangement and operation thereof willnow be given. Referring first to Figs. 1 to 5, the complete machine isshown supported on a main base plate 3| which has attached to the fourcorners of the underside thereof, four rubber feet 32. The rubber feet32 prevent the printer from resting directly on a table or othersupporting medium and furthers quieter operation of the printer} Asub-base plate 33 is located above the base plate 3|. A vertical spacingplate 34, Figs. 3, 4 and 5, attached under the rear edge of the plate 33by screws such as 35, Fig. 1, supports the rear end of the plate 33. Thetwo front corners of the plate 33 are supported on brackets such as 36,Fig. 10, which are attached to the plate 33 by screws 31, Fig. 1. Twothumb screws 38, Figs. 4 and 5, extending through the plate 33 andvertical plate 34 are threaded into the base plate 3| to hold the platestogether. Another vertical spacing plate 39, Fig. 4, attached to theunderside of the plate 33 adjacent the center thereof assists insupporting the plate 33.

Driving mechanism In the preferred embodiment of the invention, v

tached by screws 4| to the left hand section of the vertical plate 34,as seen in Fig. 5, which section is of reduced height. The front feet ofthe motor are similarly attached to the left hand section of the spacingmember 39. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the motor shaft 42 is horizontaland extends toward the front of the machine. Attached for rotationtherewith to the forward end of the motor shaft 42, is a helical gear43, as seen in Fig. 14. In the following description, when right andleft hand sections of the various parts are mentioned, they are to beconsidered as the right and left hand sections of the parts as shown inthe figures referred to and not as sections of the printer unlessspecifically stated. Located directly above the gear 43 and adapted tomesh and be driven therefrom is another helical gear 44. The gear 44 issecured by screws 46, for rotation therewith, to a gear hub 41. The gearhub 41 is secured by a screw 45 to a horizontal transverse shaft 48which comprises the main operating shaft of the machine. The operatingshaft 48 extends substantially the width of the machine and is journaledadjacent the left hand end thereof in a ball bearing 49, Fig. 15,supported on a bearing post 5| which is attached to the top of the plate33. A bearing cap 52 secured to the bearing post 5| by screws 53, Fig.6, holds the ball bearing in place. The right hand end of the operatingshaft 48 is journaled in a ball bearing 54, Fig. 14, which is supportedby a bearing post 56, attached to the plate 33 by screws 51, Fig. 3. A

hearing cap 56 attached to the post 56 by screws 59, holds the bearing54 in place. Referring to Figs. '7 and 14. the right hand end of theoperating shaft 48 is of smaller diameter than the main section and hasthereon the inner race 6| of the roller bearing 54. Abutting the innerrace 6| is a spacing collar 62, the right end of which is of reduceddiameter and serves as a gear hub for a helical gear 63. The right handface of the gear 63 has a radial keyway 64 cut therein which is adaptedto receive and engage a radially extending key 66 formed on the lefthand face of a nut 61. The right hand end of the operating shaft 48 isthreaded and has the nut 61 in threaded engagement therewith. The nut 61serves to clamp the inner race 6|, the collar 62 and the gear 63 alltogether and against the larger section of the operating shaft 48. Thusthe gear 63 will rotate with the shaft 48. A lock nut 68 threaded to theshaft 48 locks the nut 61 that the motor M is constantly rotating;consequently, the shaft 48 and the gear 69 will also constantly rotatedue to the power communicated thereto through their associated gears.

Although the machine comprises both a printing unit and a transmittingunit, such machines are often referred to as printers. In the followingdescription both units are considered as comprising the combined machinebut as the description thereof proceeds, it will be apparent that eitherunit may be operated independently of the other. When the hereinafterdescribed start and selector magnets are in series with the transmittingmechanism as shown in the wiring diagram, Fig. 28, the machine operatesas a combined unit, the printing unit recording the characterstransmitted by the transmitting mechanism. However, by providingseparate circuits for the print- 'ing and transmitting units, each maybe operated independent of the other.

Keyboard A description of the keyboard and transmitting mechanism willnow be given which comprises means for making a series of mechanicalselections and immediately thereafter automatically transferring thesemechanical selections into representative code combinations ofelectrical impulses. As is evident from Fig. 1, the arrangement of thecharacter keys is substantially the same as that of any well known threebank typewriter keyboard. The key levers 82, on which are mounted keydesignating caps 8|, are pivotally supported at their rear end on a rod83 (Fig. 10). The rod 83 extends transversely of the machine and issupported in a series of posts 84, which are attached adjacent thecenter of the base plate 3| by screws 86. A comb plate 81 extendingbetween two blocks 12 and I3 and attached thereto by screws 88 hastherein a series of vertical slots 89. The slots 89 guide the keylevers82 in their vertical movement. A spring mounting bar 9|, Figs. 4 and 10,supported on spacers 92, is attached to the base plate 3|. Each keylever82 is provided with a single wire spring 93 which tends to elevate thefront end thereof. One end of each spring is engaged in a notch 94 inits associated keylever 82, the other end being located in an individualhole in the spring mounting bar 9|.

. Situated directly beneath and extending horizontally in a directionatright angles to the keylevers 82 are a series of five permutation barsindicated in general at 96 in Fig. 11 and individually by referencecharacters 96a to 96e in Figs. 4 and 10. The permutation bars 96 areadapted to slide transversely and are guided in their movement byindividual slots in guide brackets 91 (Fig. 11) and 98 (Fig. 10) whichare located adjacent the right and left hand ends respectively of thepermutation bars. The guide brackets 91 and 98 are attached to the baseplate 3| by screws 99. The permutation bars 96 rest on individualrollers IOI which are pivotally supported on rods I02 in the guidebrackets, thereby permitting said bars to slide with a minimum amount offriction. Another comb plate I03 attached to the guide brackets 91 and98 has a series of slots therein which guide the rear of the keyleversin their vertical movement. The arrangement of the letter space keylever82a is slightly different from the arrangement of the other keylevers.The end thereof is bifurcated and engages a pin I06 in the left handend, Figs. '1 and 10, of a space key operating member I01. The space keyoperating member I8! is square S-shaped and is pivotally supported onscrews I08 in slots in a series of three blocks I09, one only of whichis shown, and which in turn are attached at the front of the base plate3| by screws III. An elongated space key II2 attached to the space keyoperating member II" by screws H3 'is supported thereby at the front andcenter of the keyboard.

Each of the permutation bars 96 has thereon a different arrangement ofupwardly extending bevelled projections II4, Fig. 11, which are soarranged that the bars will slide transversely from side to side invarious combination as various keylevers 82 are depressed. When any oneof the keylevers 82 is depressed, the lower edge thereof engages thebevelled projections II4 of the permutation bars and transverselyactuates said per- 5 mutation bars 96 to assume a position combinationwhich is representative of the depressed keylever. As is well understoodin the art, each position combination of the permutation bars representsan associated keylever 'and the bevelled 10 projections |I4 prevent theoperation of more than one keylever at a time. The permutation bars' 96are not biased in any position but move from their left to their rightposition or vice versa in various combinations as a keylever 82 isdepressed, where they remain until another keylever is subsequentlydepressed.

Attached to recessed portions of blocks 12 and I3, carried by base plate3|, Figs. 2, 7 and 10, and extending therebetween, is a bar II6 which 20serves to stop the upward movement of the keylevers 82. A strip ofresilient material I", such as leather, is attached to the underside ofthe bar H6 and permits the keylevers 82 to return to the normal positionwith less noise.

Referring to Figs. 4, 7, 10 and 12, attached by screws I23 and I24 tothe left and right hand ends of the comb plate I83 and extending towardthe rear of the machine are two right angle brackets I26 and I21,respectively. Pivotally supported on a shoulder screw I28 in the bracketI26 is one end of a universal bail I29. Pivotally supported on ashoulder screw I3I in the bracket I2! is a lever I32. Attached by screwsI 33 to the lever I I32 is a trip lever I34 and the right hand end 35 ofthe universal bail I29. The universal bail I29 extends beneath thekeylevers 82 and is held in contact, by means hereinafter described,with each and every keylever 82. Thus it is evident that the universalbail I29 and the trip lever I34 40 will pivot in a clockwise direction,as seen in Fig.

10, whenever a keylever 82 is depressed and by means to be hereinafterdescribed, said members will return to their normal positions when thedepressed keylever is released.

Transmitting mechanism The hereinbef'ore mentioned transmittingmechanism will now be described in detail and referring to Figs. 1, 2and 3, a transmitting unit 50 mounting plate I35 is attached by screwsI36 to the right hand front corner of the printer base 3|. Secured byscrews I31 to the plate I35 is an angle block I38. Secured to the angleblock I38 by screws I39, between strips of insulating material I4I, Fig.11, isv a series of five spring contacts indicated in general at I42,Fig. 11, and individually by reference numerals I42a to I42e in Fig. 3.On a rod I43, Fig. 11, secured in the upper part of the'angle block I38,are pivotally mounted a series of five bell cranks indicated in generalat I44, Fig. 1 1, and individually at I44a to I44e in Fig. 7. Each ofthe bell-cranks I44, Fig. 11, has a substantially horizontal arm I46,the end of which is bevelled and rests on another bevelled surface I41on the end of a permutation bar 96. Each bell-crank I44 has anassociated permutation bar and is kept aligned therewith by slots I48 inthe angle block I 38. On each of the substantially vertical arms I49 ofthe bellcranks I44 is a rightwardly extending projection I5I whichpresses against pieces of insulating material I52 on the tongue of eachcontact I42. Each contact I42 has an associated bell-crank Assume that apermutation bar 98 is in its left hand position as shown by the fulllines in Fig. 11, and that a key lever 82 is depressed, which causes thepermutation bar 96 to be slid to its right hand position. The right handposition of the selector bar 96 is represented by the dotdashed outlinethereof. As the permutation bar 36 moves to its right hand position, thebevelled edge I41 thereof cooperating with the bevel on the end of itsassociated bell-crank I44, causes the bell-crank to rock in a clock-wisedirection. As the bell-crank I44 is rocked to the position representedby the dot-dashed outline, the projection I6I on the vertical armthereof engages the insulating material I52 on the tongue of itsassociated contact I42 and causes said contact to open. As hereinbeforestated, the actuation of certain keylevers will cause the permutationbar 96 to move from its right hand position to its left hand positionand in so doing, the tongue of the associated contact I42 is allowed torock the bellcrank I44 in a counter-clockwise direction and consequentlyclose the contact I42. As will be hereinafter described, the permutationbars 96 are locked in the positions to which they are actuated by anactuated keylever 62 during the transmission of the group of impulsesrepresented by the actuated keylever. Thus it is evident from the abovedescription that as the permutation bars 96 are actuated to assumevarious combinations of settings by an actuated keylever 82, thecontacts I42 are actuated to assume various combinations of settingswhich correspond to the settings of the permutation bars.

In telegraph practice it is the custom to refer to the two differentline conditions that comprise telegraph signals as spacing and markingintervals or impulses. Accordingly, in accordance with a predeterminedarrangement, the various members of a transmitting mechanism thatdetermine whether spacing or marking impulses are transmitted, areconsidered to have associated spacing and marking positions. Incooperation with the signaling code employed in this machine, thetransmitting mechanism is so arranged that the left hand position of apermutation bar 96 corresponds to a marking impulse and the right handposition to a spacing impulse. In following paragraphs members havingthese two positions will be referred to as being either in their spacingor marking position.

It is thought that a clearer understanding of the machine will be had byfollowing through the operation therebf on the actuation of a certainkeylever and it will be assumed that the M keylever isactuated. In thepreferred embodiment, the bevelled projections II4 on the permutationbars 96 are so arranged that when the M keylever 82 is actuated, thepermutation bars 96a and 96b are spacingly positioned and thepermutation bars 96c to 96c marliingly positioned.-

Consequently, as hereinbefore described, for this combination ofsettings of the permutation bars 96, the contacts MM and M2?) will beopened and the contacts I42c to I42e will be closed. The operation ofthe apparatus in transmitting repre sentative spacing and markingimpulses will be hereinafter described.

The hereinbefore mentioned transmitting shaft 1| is journaled at theleft and right hand ends thereof, best shown in Fig. 8, in bushings I53and I54. The left hand bushing I53 is supported in a bearing bracketI56. Two nuts I51 on either side of the bracket I56 and in threadedengagement with a threaded portion of the bushing I53 holds the bushingin place. The right hand bushing I64 is supported in a bearing bracketI69 and secured thereto by a cap nut I6I in threaded engagement with thebushing I64. The bearing brackets I66 and I59 are secured by screws I68to the top of the plate I36 which in turn is secured to the top of thebase plate 3|. The trans-.

mitting shaft H has sections Ila to H d of different diameters and aflange or collar 1Ie integral therewith. A gear hub I63 loosely mountedon the section Nb of the transmitting shaft, abutting the left hand faceof the flange He, has secured thereto by pilot screws I64 thehereinbefore mentioned gear 69. The left hand sections I66 of the pilotscrews I64 are engaged in slots I61, Fig. 9, in three Bakelite segmentsI68. The segments I68, Figs. 8 and 9, comprise a segmented ring and arelocated on the outer circumference of a collar I69. The collar I69 isattached by a pin "I to the shaft II for rotation therewith in abuttingrelation with the left hand face of the gear hub I63. A circular coiledradially contractible spring I12 surrounds the segments I68 and holdsthe inner surface thereof frictionally engaged with the outer surface ofthe collar I69. As hereinbefore stated, it is assumed that the motor Mis constantly rotating and consequently by means of the described geartrain comprising the motor pinion 43, the gear 44, the shaft 48 and thegear 63, the gear 69, Figs. 7 and 8, will constantly rotate. As thescrews I64 rotate with the gear 69 and the ends I66 are engaged by thesegments I68, the segments will therefore also rotate with the gear 69.The segments I68 being frictionally engaged with the collar I69, thecollar I69 and shaft 1I will therefore tend to rotate with the segmentsI68. Normally, the shaft II is restrained from rotation as will behereinafter described, and consequently, at such times, the segments I68will slide on the circumference of the collar I69.

Located on the section I Ic of the transmitting shaft are a series ofdisc cams I13a to I13e, I14, I16 and a stop-arm I11. These cams and thestop-arm are clamped in a predetermined arrangement against the flange1Ie for rotation with the shaft 1I, intermediate with spacers I18 by anut I19 threaded on the shaft 1 I. The function and operation of thecams I13a to I13e, I14 and I16, will be described in followingparagraphs.

An angle bracket I8I is secured to the trans- Y mitting base plate I byscrews I82. On a rod I83, Figs. 7, 8, 12 and 13, supported in thebrackets I59 and I8I, are pivotally mounted a series of contact leversI84a to l84e, a U-shaped lever I86, a lever I81 and two bell-cranks I88and I89. The contact levers I84a to I84e, all being similar, will bereferred to collectively as levers I 84 and each is in operativerelation with an associated cam H311 to I13e on the shaft H. The leverI81 is in operative relation with the cam I14 and the bell-crank I89 isin operative relation with the cam I16, the stop-arm I 11 and thecontact I99, as will be hereinafter described. The bell-crank I88 is inoperative relation with the stop-arm I11. The levers and bell-cranks areall pivoted on bushings I9I on the rod I83 and kept in alignment withtheir associated cams by spacers I92. Secured by screws I93 between thebrackets I59 and I8I is a block of insulating material I94. Attached tothe block I 94 by screws I91 between other pieces of insulating materialI96 are a group of six spring contacts I98a to I98e and I99, Figs. 7 and8. As seen in Figs. 12 and 13, the contact 199 is adapted to open whenoperated as will be hereinafter described, and the contacts I980. toI98e are adapted to close when operated. Each of the contacts I98a toI98e are inoperative relation with an associated contact lever I84a. toI'84e and the contact I99 is in operative relation with the bell-crankI89. The levers I84 sequentially close the contacts IBM to I98e, as willbe hereinafter described.

10 The above described members comprise the transmitting mechanism ofthe machine and the operation thereof in conjunction with the operationof a keylever 82 of the keyboard will now be described. As stated, thedepressing of 16 a keylever 82, Figs. 11, 12 and 13, selectivelypositions the permutation bars 96 and concomitantly rocks the universalbail I29. The universal bail I29 in rocking also causes the trip leverI34 to be actuated to its operated position. Attached 20 to the rightend of the trip lever I34 is a link 20I, the other end of which isattached to the leftwardly extending arm 202 of the bell-crank I88.Consequently, the operation of the trip lever I34 rocks the bell-crankI88 to its operated position. On a shoulder screw 203 secured in theupper left hand section of the bracket I8I is pivotally mounted abell-crank 204. A spring 206 coiled about the screw 203 has one endsecured therein, the other end being hooked around an arm of thebell-crank 24, tends to rock the bellcrank in a counter-clockwisedirection. An upwardly extending am 201 of the bell-crank 204 ishook-shaped and normally engages the end of a leftwardly extending arm208 of the bell-crank I89. A rightwardly extending arm 209 of thebell-crank 204 is adapted to be engaged by the arm 202 of the bell-crankI88 when the bell-crank I88 rocks. The substantially vertical arm 2 ofthe bell-crank I88 has the end 2I2 bent to form a right angle with thearm 2II. The arm 208 of the bell-crank I89 has a bevelled projection 2I3which is adapted to be operatively engaged with the cam I16. Thesubstantially vertical arm 2I4 of the bell-crank I89 has the end 2I6thereof bent to form a right angle with the arm 2I4. The end 2I6 isnormally engaged with a stop arm I11 and thus the shaft H is preventedfrom rotating. A projection 2I1 on the arm 2I4 is in operative relationwith the normally closed con tact I99.

For the following described cycle of operation of the transmittingmechanism it will be assumed that the actuated keylever 82 was releasedimmediately after being depressed. As stated, the operation of akeylever 82 actuates the trip lever I34 which in turn causes thebell-crank I88 to rock about the rod I83. As the bell-crank I88 rocksthe arm 202 thereof engages the arm 209 of bell-crank 204. .Thebell-crank 204 thereupon rocks in' a clockwise direction and disengagesthe hooked arm 201 from the end of the arm 208 of the bell-crank I89.The bell-crank I89 then rocks in a clockwise direction by action of aspring 2I8 attached at the lower end thereof. As the bell-crank I89rocks the projection 2" thereon engages a piece of insulating material2I9 on the tongue of the contact I99 and opens said contact. Also, asthe bell-crank I89 rocks, the end 2I6 of the arm 2I4, which is normallyengaged with stop-arm I11, slides out of engagement with said stop-arm.Thereupon the stoparm I11 and the shaft II is free to rotate by actionof the hereinbefore described friction clutch. As it was assumed thatthe actuated key- 7 lever 82 was released immediately after beingdepressed, a spring 22I attached to the bell-crank I88, returns thebell-crank I88, the trip lever I34 and the universal bail 2I9 to theirnormal positions. This allows the spring 206 to return the bell-crank204 to a position where the latch arm 5 201 is adapted to again latchthe arm 208 of the bell-crank I89 at a predetermined time as will behereinafter described.

To return now to the operation of the various members as the shaft 1Irevolves, it being re- 10 leased for rotation as heretofore described.After the shaft H has rotated a few degrees, the end of the lever I81,Fig. 12, passes out of the notch 222 in its associated disc cam I14 andconsequently rocks the lever I81 in a counter-clockwise 15 direction.The U-shaped lever I86 which is pivoted at the ends on the rod I83, issecured to the lever, I81 to rock therewith by a screw 223. Attached byscrews 226 to the cross section of the lever I86 is a locking member 224which has a 20 .section 221 extending over the permutation bars 96, bestseen in Fig. 7. The section 221 of the locking member 224 in operativerelation with the selecting levers 96, Fig. 11, is wedge-shaped andadapted to engage with a wedge-shaped projection 228 (Fig. 11) on eachof the permutation bars 96. Normally the section 221 of the member 224is not engaged with the projections 228, but shortly after the shaft 1Istarts to rotate, the section 221 is lowered, as described, andthereupon engages the left or right sides of the projections 228. Theside of the projection 228 that is engaged with the section 221 of thelocking member 224 is determined by the selective positions of eachindividual permutation bar 96. 35 Thus the permutation bars 96 arelocked in their selected positions and remain so until released, as willbe hereinafter described. The bevelled projections II4 on thepermutation bars 96 prevent the operation of another keylever 82 until40 the permutation bars are unlocked.

The operation of the contact levers I84, Fig. 12, will now be described.These levers are substantially T-shaped, being pivoted at the lower endon the rod I83 and having right and left 45 hand projections 229 and 23Iat the upper end. Thespring tongue of each contact I98 is tensioned, andpresses pieces of insulating material 232 attached at the upper end ofeach tongue, against the projection 229 of their-associated 50 contactlever I 84 and thus holds the bevelled projection 23I against'the faceof its associated cam I13 on the shaft 1I. Each of the cams I 13 has ahigh part which is equal to approximately oneseventh of thecircumference of the cam. In the 55 rest Or normal position of shaft 1I,none of the high parts of the cams I 13 are engaged with theirassociated contact levers. After the shaft has rotated about one-seventhof a revolution from its rest position, the high part of cam I13a 0engages its associated contact lever I84a and rocks the lever in aclockwise direction as seen in Fig. 12. The contact lever I84a inrocking actuates the tongue of contact I98a so that it makes contactwith its back stop. As the high 65 part of cam I13a is engaged with thecontact lever I84a. for about one-seventh of the revolution of the shaftH, the contact I98a will remain closed for substantially an equal lengthof time. As the high part of cam I13a passes out of en- 7( gagement withthe contact lever I84a, the spring tongue of the contact I98a rocks thelever in a counter-clockwise direction and thus the contact I98a isopened. As the contact I98a is opening, the high part of the cam I13bengages its associated contact lever I 84b to close the associatedcontact I98b in the same manner as contact I98a was closed. It alsoremains closed for about oneseventh of a revolution of the shaft 1I.wise, contacts I98e to I 98e are each closed for approximatelyone-seventh of the revolution of the shaft H. The contacts I98a to I98eare so arranged in conjunction with their associated cams I13a to I13ethat a subsequent contact such as I13c closes just before a precedingcontact such as I13b opens. Thus, from about oneseventh of a revolutionto about six-sevenths of a revolution of the shaft 1I, one of thecontacts I98a to I98e will be closed. Just before the contact I 98copens, the cam I 16 engages the bevelled surface 2I3 on the bell-crankI89 and rocks the bell-crank in a counter-clockwise direction againstthe biasing action of the spring 2I8. There are three functions whichare performed as the bell-crank I89 rocks in a counter-clockwisedirection. They are: First, the contact I99 is allowed to close byaction of its spring tongue just before the contact I98e is allowed toopen; second, the arm 298 is lowered so that the latch arm 291 isengageable with the end of the arm 208, and as the cam I18 passes out ofengagement with the bevelled surface M3, the bell-crank I89 is therebyheld in its normal unoperated position; and third, the projection 2I6 ismoved into the path of the stop-arm I11 and when the stop-arm comes incontact therewith, it will be stopped thereat in its predetermined stopor rest position.

The stop-arm I11 is adapted to engage the projection 2I6 just after thecam I16 passes out of engagement with the bevelled surface 2I3. Justbefore the shaft H is brought to rest, the end of the lever I81, Fig.12, is pulled by a spring 233 into the notch 222 in its associated camI14 and consequently the locking member 224 is raised, which disengagesthe section 221, Fig. 11, and the projections 228 of the notched bars96.

In brief review, the operation of the keyboard and transmittingmechanism is as follows: The actuation of a keylever 82, Figs. 10 to 13,selectively positions the permutation bars 96 in a combination ofsettings which represent, in accordance with a predeterminedarrangement, the actuated keylever. The selective positions of thepermutation bars 96 are transferred to the contacts I42 by thebell-cranks I44. The actuated keylever 82 concomitantly operates theuniversal bail I29 to cause the release of the stop-arm I 1 whereuponthe shaft H is free to rotate with the gear 69. The release of thestop-arm I11 is adapted to take place near the end of the stroke of theuniversal bail I29 which insures that the permutation bars 96 are intheir selected positions. During substantially the whole of therevolution of the shaft H, the permutation bars 96 are locked inposition by the locking member 224 and thus prevents the actuation of asecond keylever 82 until the shaft H has completed the revolutionassociated with the first actuated keylever. Actually, the permutationbars- 96 are unlocked just before the shaft 1I completes a revolutionbut as an appreciable length of time is required to actuate a keylever82, the shaft 1I will invariably be stopped in its predetermined restposition before a keylever can be actuated to release it for anotherrevolution. However, if a keylever 82 could be actuated instantaneouslywith the unlocking of the permutation bars 96 to cause the latch arm 281to be out of operative relation with the arm 208 of the bell-crank I89,a pause in the rotation of the transmitting Likeshaft 1| would beintroduced by means of the overthrow of the bell-crank I88 when operatedby the cam I16. The cam I16 actuates the bellcrank I89 in acounterclockwise direction very near the end of a revolution of theshaft 1I, and if the latch arm 281 did not latch the bell-crank I89 inits normal position, the end 2I6 of the arm 2 and the stop arm I11 w uldmomentarily engage before the spring 2I8 could rotate the bell-crank I89to its normal position and thus cause a definite pause in the rotationof the transmitting shaft 1I. Thus the shaft 1I makes one revolution foreach actuated keylever and is stopped at the end of each revolution. Inthe rest position of the shaft H .the contact I99 is closed and at thesame time that the shaft is released for a revolution, the contact I99is opened. There is then an interval equal to about one-seventh of therevolution when all the contacts I98a to I98e and I99 are opened. Thecontacts I98a to I98e are each for about one-seventh of the revolution,after which the contact I99 is again closed for the remainder of therevolution.

In connection with the above description the electrical circuits willnow be described. Referring to Fig. 28, line battery at 2341s connectedover conductor 236 in parallel to the tongue of contact I99 and to theback stops of contacts I420. to I42e. The tongues of contacts I420 toI42e are connected by conductors 231a to 231e to respective tongues ofcontacts I 98a to I 98e.

' The back stops of contacts I98a to I98e and I99 are connected inparallel by conductor 238 to the line. In series with the line is aselector magnet and a start magnet, the purpose and operation of whichwill be hereinafter described.

In the preferred form of this invention, marking impulses represent aline condition during which current is transmitted and spacing impulsesrepresent a line condition during which no current is transmitted. Asstated, in the rest position of the shaft H, the contact I99 is closedand thus, as shown in Fig. 28, a circuit is completed from battery at234 over conductor 236 through the contact I99 and thence over conductor238 to the line. Thus a marking impulse, which is'the rest impulse, istransmitted. Again, assume that the M keylever82 is actuated, whichcloses the contacts I42c to l42e and causes the release of the shaft 1I.As described, the contact I 99 is thereupon opened and consequentlyopens the line circuit before any of the contacts I98a to I98e areclosed. Thus an interval of no current or a spacing interval istransmitted which is the start impulse. The contacts I98a to I98e arethen sequentially closed and transmit to the line combinations ofmarking and spacing intervals. The contacts I42a to I42e being opened orclosed determine whether spacing or marking impulses respectively willbe transmitted as their associated contacts I98a to I98e aresequentially closed. As cont-acts I42a and i421) are assumed to be openand contacts N20 to I42e to be closed, five impulses, the first two ofwhich are spacing and the last three of which are marking, will betransmitted. As contact I98e opens, contact I99 is closed andconsequently a marking or rest impulse is invariably transmitted at theend of each combination of impulses. Thus a combination of impulsesrepresentative of an actuated keylever which is invariably preceded by aspacing start impulse and invariably followed by a marking rest impulseis transmitted.

In the above cycle of operation of the transthen sequentially closed,

mitting mechanism it was assumed that the actuated keylever 82 wasreleased immediately after being depressed. The operation will now bedescribed when an actuated keylever 82 is held depressed for a longerlength of time than is necessary for transmission of its associatedcombination of impujses. Referring to Fig. 13, .the bell-cranks I88 and284 will be rotated to their operated positions and remain there as longas a keylever 82 is held depressed. This places the projection'2l2 ofthe bell-crank I88 in the path of the stop-arm I11. Therefore, when thestoparm I11 has nearly completed a. revolution, it will engage theprojection 2I2 and be brought to a stop thereat a few degrees ahead ofits normal stop position. However, in this position of the shaft H thecam I18 will have rocked the bellcrank I89 to allow the contact I99 toclose and consequently transmit the rest impulse and also 'to bring theprojection 2I8 into the path of the stop-arm I11. As the actuatedkeylever 82 is finally released, the bell-cranks 284 and I88 rock totheir normal positions. In so doing, the projection 2I2 of thebell-crank I88 disengages t'he stop-arm I11, whereupon the shaft 1I willrotate to its normal stop position. The bell-crank 284 in assuming itsnormal position, allows the hooked end 281 to engage the arm 288 of thebellcrank I89 and thus lock the bell-crank I89 in its normal position.Thus the transmitting mechanism is returned to normal, ready to bereleased in conjunction with the actuation of the same or anotherkeylever.

Operating shaft The printing unit along with the various associatedmechanisms will now be described. Re-

ferring to Figs. 6 and 15, the operating shaft 48 is journaled andadapted to be continuously rotated as hereinbefore described. As seen inFig. 15, a sleeve member 24I is loosely mounted on a section 48b of themain operating shaft 48 abutting a collar 48a integral with the shaft48. The right hand end of the sleeve 24I is threaded and hasthreaded'thereon nuts 242 which clamp a print cam 243 against a flange244 of the sleeve 24I for rotation therewith. Secured by screws 245 tothe left hand side of a flange 246 integral with and extending radiallyfrom adjacent the center of the sleeve 24I is a collar 241. Formed onthe right hand end of the collar 241 is a disc cam 248 which will bereferred to as a drop-in cam. Loosely mounted on the sleeve 24I adjacentthe left hand end thereof is a collar 249. The collar 249 isoperativelyengaged and therefore adapted to rotate with the collar 241 by means ofinterengaging tongues 25I and grooves 252, shown dotted, formed on andin the collars 241 and 249, respectively. Thus the collar 249 is adaptedto rotate with the sleeve 24I but is slidable along the sleeve by meanshereinafter described to bring teeth 253 disposed on the left hand facethereof into or out of engagement with similar teeth 254 disposed on theright hand face of a disc member 258.

A collar 251 in threaded engagement with a threaded portion 480 of theoperating shaft 48 clamps a disc member 258, the inner race 259 of theroller bearing 49 and the disc member 258 against the section 48b of themainshaft 48 which is of larger diameter for rotation therewith. Thedisc member 258 is also keyed to the shaft 48 to insure its rotationtherewith. Loosely mounted on the section 48d of the shaft 48 is a platemember 28I which is operatively engaged with the collar 251 consequentlywith the shaft 48, by interengaging tongues and grooves 282 and 283,shown dotted, formed on and in the plate member 28I and the collar 251,respectively. Loosely mounted on the section 48d of the main shaft 48 isa selector cam sleeve 284. Fixed to the cam sleeve 284 for rotationtherewith is a stop-arm 288, a series of five notched selector cam discs281a to 281e and a start cam 288 intermediate with spacers 289 and lockwashers 21I. A nut 212 threaded on the cam sleeve 284 clamps the abovementioned members together and holds them in place. Loosely mounted onthe section 48d of the shaft 48 at each end of the cam sleeve 284 aretwo friction discs 213 and 214, which are keyed to the sleeve 284 forrotation therewith.

A retaining disc 218 which has a screw portion extending from the centerthereof, is threaded into the left hand end of the shaft 48 to rotatetherewith. Between the left and right hand faces of the friction disc214 and the retaining disc 218, respectively, is a friction memher 211,such as a felt disc. A similar friction member 218 is situated betweenthe friction disc 213 and the plate member 26I. A spring 219 coiledabout the collar 251, exerts a pressure against the plate member 251 andas the plate member 251 and the sleeve 284 are loosely mount- --ed onthe shaft 48, this pressure is transmitted to the retaining disc 218. Asthe retaining disc Selector mechanism In the selector mechanism twomagnets are employed, a start magnet and a selector magnet. Referring toFigs. 1, 4, 6 and 17, the operation and arrangement of the start magnetunit will now be described. Secured adjacent the center of the left handedge of the plate 33 by screws 28I is a start unit mounting bracket.282. Rotatably fixed in a circular opening in the bracket 282 is acircular plate 283, Fig. 4. *Two clamping members 284, Figs. 4 and 8,and 288, Fig. 6, located on opposite sides of the plate 283, normallyclamp the plate 283 to the bracket 282 by means of a thumb screw 281,Fig. 6, threaded in the clamping member 288. Attached by screws 288,Fig. 17, to the plate 283 is an angle bracket 289 upon which is mountedby a screw 29I a magnet yoke 292 and a start magnet 293. An armaturebracket 294 secured to the yoke 292 by screws 298 has in the upper endthereof a rod 291 upon which is pivotally-supported an armature 298. Aretractile spring 299 attached to the left hand end of the armature 298as seen in Fig. 1'7, tends to actuate the armature 298 to its retractedposition. A bracket 388, Figs. 6 and 17, attached to the plate 283 haspivotally supported therein a spring adjusting screw 38I. A cord 382 isattached to one end of the spring 299 and is adapted to wind about theadjusting screw 38I to vary the tension of the spring 299. A spring 383coiled about the adjusting screw 38I exerts a pressure between acollar384 on the screw 38I and the bracket 388 and thereby prevents thespring 299 from unwinding the for rotation therewith and

